St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-06-04
PRODUCTIVE POSSIBILITIES
OF THE PINE BELT.
New Orleans Picayune.l

timber is cleared from it there re-
main possibilities in agriculture
which are full of promise, and
whose practical productiveness has
been satisfactorily tested. In a
printed report of the transactions
Of the Interstate Dairymen and
Fruit Growers Convention, held
last February in jackson, Miss.
some interesting observations on
the agricultural capabilities of the
Gulf Coast region are presented by
Capt. E. II. Hudson, of New Or
leans. who owns and probably
operates dairy and fruit firm in
Alabama, come twenty miles above
Mobile. His experiences in detail
are too volnninous for reproduction
here, but refe renee will be made to
them in regard to several important
particulars. He characterizes the
pine belt as "a vast region, it is
true, extending from a line. mid
way this State, from east to west,
down to the Gulf of Mexico. This
territory includes. south of the line
indicated. by far the greater part Of
the States of Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana. which
is commonly known Is the ''piney
woods" of the South. It is a Sec
ton OF country bearing the noblest
forests Of yellow pine timber; but
it has q sandy soil, VIGOROUSLY de-
6cient in potash and devoid Of
humus. Nevertheless there is gen.
orally. but not always. fodnd an
underlying sub-soil of more or less
substantial yellow clay. located at
rom 6 to Is i inches below the sur
face. Occasionally q bed Of lizard
pan" is fond in place Of clay. but
fortunately such formations-unit
ting the soil for the production of
profitable crops, other than early
vegetables-aren not Of frequent &C
currence in the region in question.
It is on such land that he has
produced good yiells Of . choice
variety of corn. while drops of oats.
German miliet. COW peas. sorghum
and crab grass for stock forage
aourisbed luxariaut!y. For eweet
potatoes this region is unrivalled.
and for various lines OF early gar
den vegetables and truck farming
for the Northern markets. such
lands ms lie adjacent to the great
trunk lines of railway are eminent
" adapted. For fruit growing
many advantages are offered. and
Mr.. Hudson was able to place his
Bartlett pears aud choice grapes in
the markets of Chicago and St.
Paul several weeks ahead of the
California shipments. viii g they
constantly commanded top prices
in competition with the best Of
California varieties.
There is so much rich land in
the. Gulf States that the "piney
woods" region has been greatl.. -
,lect.d L., -, --.~.s. whose cole at
tention was given to cotton. But
under tbs rational system. which 10
bound in tbs end to prevail in this
country. the farmer who makes
himself Independent by producing
everything needed for the subsist
ence Of his family. his labor and
his live stock. will in the long run
always come ont ahead Of the am
Litious planter. who only aims to
grow cotton. and who piles up
mortgages npon his rich alluvial
lands. 30 that he may buy hog,
hominy, corn and hay from the
NortL for the support of his work.
ing force.
In addition to the considerations
mentioned. the vast pine forests
seem to Breathe healing and bal
samic influences into the atmos-
phere peculiarly grateful to persons
suffering with weak lungs. This
region is coming to be regarded as
a sanitariu~. with yearly increas-
ing evidence in its favor. The pine
belt is coming more and more into
public importance. and the day is
not far distant when this neglected
Ind once despissd region will grow
INTO the highest esteem as . para
lise for fiuit-growers and resort
Tor invalide.
CAPITAL PuHrsHMENr.-The sub.
ect of . more improved method Of